Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)

 

Overview of Butterfly Milkweed and close-up of flowers. Photographs by Wynn Anderson.

• Common English Names: Butterfly Milkweed, Butterflyweed, Chigger Flower, Orange Milkweed
• Common Spanish Names:
• Scientific Name: Asclepias tuberosa (az-KLEP-ee-us too-ber-OH-suh)
• Family: Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed Family)
• Geographic Range: Across eastern North America into Rocky Mountains to northern Mexico.
• Plant Form: Herbaceous perennial, 2' x 2'.
• Remarks: Clumping mass of short, leafy stems rise from a deep, fleshy taproot to produce umbels of bright orange flowers in late spring and summer. Long lived and cold hardy to 0° or less, but dies to ground in winter; light or part shade to full sun, variety of soils. Excellent larval host and nectar plant for butterflies.

Last Update: 9 Nov 2002